They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. 1 Thessalonians 1: 9b – 10 NIV

ThrowBack Thursday Dallas Holm Lyrics Worth the Waiting 1981 Album I Saw the Lord

 It will be worth the waiting
 All the anticipatin'
 When we see Jesus - When we see Jesus.
 It will be worth the miles
 All of our many trials
 When we see Jesus - When we see Jesus.
 Verse:
 Sometimes I get so tired
 That I just want to go away,
 Wish He would come and take me home today.
 Being with Him would be better,
 But for you I will choose to stay
 A little bit longer so you might know the way.

From the time the disciples were on the mountain watching Jesus ascend into the heavens, the church has been awaiting His return. The Angels said it best,

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9-11

The early church writings capture the idea that His return could happen any day. Even Jesus tells them to watch and pray for no one knows the hour when the son of Man will return. The word Maranatha means come quickly

Look how these song titles capture a hunger for the return of Christ. “I’ll Fly Away”, Andre Crouch – “Soon and Very Soon”, Pat Terry –”I can’t wait to see Jesus“, Second Chapter of Acts – “Mansion Builder”,  Larry Norman “UFO” – Oak Ridge Boys – “Jesus is coming Soon”. Keith Green – “Sheep and the Goats”, Remake by DC Talk 0 “I wish we had all been ready”, The list could go on and on.

Songs are a reflection of what is happening in the heart and minds. Jesus very clearly said that He is coming back.  There ia a natural desire to be united with Jesus in a face to face experience. 

Points to Consider

  • Are You Ready? – Salvation occurs this side of His return. Have you given your life to Him as your Lord and Savior? 
  • Are you prepared? Jesus gave a parable about 10 virgins awaiting the bridegroom. Five were busy with the preparations and the other five were not. It was too late for the unprepared. The implication is that we are to be busy with kingdom activity while we are waiting.
  • Are you anticipating? The length of time and the busyness of life cause a lax attitude toward His return. If you are nurturing daily your love relationship with Jesus through worship and talking with Him, it will lead to a desire to be with Him
  • Are you sharing with others? The gospel message of salvation from sin also includes the return of Christ. This is why Paul mentions it in reference to the Thessalonians.

This may sound like a Baptist preacher sermon. I actually did not have time to comment on the coming wrath, but Paul includes it in the text. The coming of Jesus will bring the final verdict against all ungodliness and injustices. It is important to be on Jesus’ side of eternity. I hope you are!

Larry Norman lyrics to close out – UFO

 He's an unidentified flying object
 He will sweep down from the sky
 He's an unidentified flying object
 Some will sleep but will not die
 He's an unidentified flying object
 Coming back to take you home
 He's an unidentified flying object
 He will roll away your stone

Blessings Love y’all